What Classes Can You Expect to Take For Your Accounting Degree?
If you enjoy working with numbers and financial data, an accounting degree can prepare you for careers in finance, business, and professional services.
With a bachelor’s degree in accounting, you can qualify for entry-level roles and begin building experience toward more advanced positions. If your goal is to become a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) and increase your long-term earning potential, a master’s degree in accounting can help you meet additional credit and exam requirements while strengthening advanced accounting skills.
The accounting field is evolving as new technologies reshape how financial work is done. Today’s accountants increasingly use AI-powered tools for tasks like auditing, bookkeeping, and forecasting, such as platforms like MindBridge AI and AuditBoard for risk detection and bookkeeping tools like Botkeeper and Xero’s AI for automated transaction processing. Machine learning is also being used to improve fraud detection and predictive cash-flow analysis.
As a result, accounting degree programs increasingly include coursework in accounting information systems, data analytics, and emerging financial technologies. This guide provides an overview of the courses covered in WGU’s online accounting bachelor’s and master’s degree programs.
What Courses Are Taught in a Bachelor’s in Accounting Degree Program?
A bachelor’s degree in accounting is often the first step toward a career in business, finance, or professional accounting. This degree program introduces basic accounting concepts such as Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP), spreadsheets, financial and managerial accounting, tax and audit rules, and business law, while building the technical skills needed for entry-level roles and further study.
WGU’s B.S. in Accounting consists of 40 courses, and includes core courses such as:
- Auditing: Introduces audit processes, risk assessment, audit strategy, and data analysis used in assurance engagements.
- Accounting Information Systems (AIS): Explores accounting systems, enterprise resource planning (ERP) platforms, transaction cycles, data management, IT controls, and e-commerce, and how AI, automation, and analytics tools are applied.
- Business Law for Accountants: Examines legal principles affecting accounting, including contracts, UCC regulations, ethics, and bankruptcy.
- Cost and Managerial Accounting: Focuses on budgeting, cost-volume-profit analysis, job costing, and differential analysis.
- Financial Accounting: Introduces GAAP principles and financial reporting, including assets, liabilities, equity, and the ethics of business transactions.
- Intermediate Accounting: Provides in-depth coverage of GAAP and financial reporting topics such as cash flows, balance sheets, cash and receivables, and inventory valuation.
- Taxation I: Covers tax principles for individuals and businesses, including tax law and basic tax strategy concepts.
What Courses Are Taught in a Master’s in Accounting Degree Program?
Master’s in accounting degree programs typically include advanced coursework in financial accounting, auditing, taxation, managerial accounting, and accounting research. These courses are designed to help students strengthen technical accounting skills while preparing for career advancement and CPA licensing requirements.
WGU’s M.S. in Accounting focuses on a combination of advanced accounting courses and specialization-specific coursework. Foundational courses include:
- Accounting Research and Critical Thinking: Develops skills in research, critical thinking, and communication to evaluate accuracy and validity of accounting reports.
- Data Analytics for Accountants: Introduces basic concepts and various tools and techniques such as data mining and the extract-transform-load (ETL) process.
- Ethics for Accountants: Explores professional standards, ethical decision-making, responsible accounting practices, and AICPA/IMA guidelines.
- Fraud and Forensic Accounting: Introduces tools and techniques used to detect, investigate, and prevent fraud within organizations.
- Management Communication: Covers topics such as theories and strategies of communication, persuasion, conflict management, and how to communicate to various audiences.
Depending on the specialization selected, students may study topics such as:
- Accounting Research and Critical Thinking: Focuses on accounting research methods, communication, reasoning, and report validation.
- Advanced Auditing: Reviews audit planning, reporting, and auditing procedures related to business cycles and financial transactions.
- Advanced Financial Accounting: Prepares students for complex accounting topics such as consolidations, partnership accounting, allocations, adjustments, and eliminations.
- Advanced Managerial Accounting: Explores budgeting, profitability analysis, product costing, and organizational decision-making.
- Corporate Financial Analysis: Teaches analysis of financial statements and strategic decision-making related to valuation, risk, capital structure, investment decisions, and performance.
- Information Systems for Accounting and Control: Covers four main competencies, including networks, hardware, cybersecurity, and compliance.
- Internal Auditing: Introduces the foundations of internal auditing, risk management, governance and controls, and fraud. This course aligns with Certified Internal Auditor (CIA) standards.
Course offerings for both bachelor’s and master’s degrees may vary by specialization and program updates.
Should I Become a CPA?
For those interested in long-term career growth in accounting, becoming a CPA may be worth considering. While requirements vary by state, most CPA licensure requirements include 150 credit hours, plus passing the CPA exam.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), accountants and auditors earned a median annual salary of $81,680 in 2024, with employment projected to grow by 5% from 2024 to 2034. Earning a master’s degree in accounting can help you build advanced accounting knowledge while working toward CPA educational requirements.
Ready to Take the Next Step?
Whether you’re starting your accounting education or advancing your career, WGU offers online accounting degree programs designed to help you build practical, job-ready skills. Explore the B.S. Business Administration–Accounting or the M.S. Accounting to find the program that fits your goals.
Accounting Course Frequently Asked Questions
Below are some common questions that individuals interested in an accounting degree may have.
What subjects are covered in an accounting degree program?
Some subjects you can expect to find in an accounting program include:
- Business law
- Financial markets
- Auditing
- Taxation
- Banking and investments
- Corporate finance
How long does it take to complete accounting courses online?
The time it takes to complete online accounting courses depends on your schedule, transfer credits, and the pace at which you move through your program. At WGU, the median time to complete a bachelor’s degree is two years (24 months), according to the FY2025 Annual Report. This varies by student and may take longer depending on many factors.
WGU’s competency-based learning model lets students move through courses as soon as they demonstrate mastery of the material. Instead of waiting for a new semester or term to begin, students can start the next course after completing the previous one. This flexibility allows students to complete accounting courses at a pace that fits their experience level, schedule, and personal responsibilities. Students with prior knowledge or experience may move more quickly, while others may choose to balance work, family, and other commitments.
What can I do with a bachelor’s degree in accounting?
With a bachelor’s degree in accounting, you may be most qualified for entry-level positions such as:
- Bookkeeper
- Accounts Payable Specialist
- Assistant Payroll Administrator
- Staff Accountant
- Payroll Accountant
What can I do with a master’s degree in accounting?
There are many job possibilities for individuals with a master's degree in accounting, both in public and private accounting. Some of these jobs include:
Can I double major in accounting?
While you may decide to double major in accounting and another related subject like finance at many other universities, WGU does not provide a means to double major in accounting at this time. Students pursuing an accounting major may continue on to a master’s degree program in accounting after earning your bachelor’s degree.
I’m not happy with my grade in a particular accounting class. Can I take it again?
At WGU, students either pass or do not pass a course. If you don’t pass a course the first time, you may re-enroll and try again.
